Modular system for pneumatic control

ABSTRACT

A modular system for pneumatic control of the type which is constituted by a support panel arranged in the form of a frame fitted with a series of transverse cylindrical rods in uniformly spaced relation so as to receive in a coplanar orthogonal arrangement, a plurality of interengageable base plates each having the shape of a standardized right-angled parallelepiped and is adapted to receive on the front face which forms a unitary mounting surface at least one standardized pneumatic component of the system and on the rear face thereof at least one series of connectors which communicate respectively with the openings of the corresponding component, each base plate having a rear face provided on each of two opposite edges, in symmetrical relation to the axis located at right angles to the mounting surface at the point of intersection of its diagonal lines, with at least two members for simultaneous bearing on one of the rods of the support panel and with a member for attachment on the rod, with all of said members being spaced along the edge face in order that the bearing members of two juxtaposed base plates can be similarly mounted astride the same rod.

United States Patent (191 J ullien-Davin 1 Jan. 2, 1973- [54] MODULAR SYSTEM FOR PNEUMATIC CONTROL [75] Inventor: Jean Jullien-Davin, Valence, France [73] Assignee: Crouzet, Paris, France [22] Filed: Dec 22, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 100,720

[ Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 22, 1969 France ..6944770 [52] US. Cl ..l37/608, 235/201 ME, 137/271 [51] Int. Cl ..Fl6k 1 1102 [58] Field of Search ..46/24, 25, 26; 235/201 ME;

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,561,469 2/1971 Kellstrom ..l37/608 X 3,407,834 10/1968 Brandenberg ..137/27l 3,442,044 5/1969 Quercetti ..46/25 X 3,465,774 9/1969 Kautz et a1 ..137/608 X 3,488,881 1/1970 Holzer ..46/25 3,523,547 8/1970 Hatch 1 37/269 Primary Examiner Henry T. Klinksiek Attorney-Holman & Stern Y [5 7] ABSTRACT A modular system for pneumatic control of the type which is constituted by a support panel arranged in the form of a frame fitted with a series of transverse cylindrical rods in uniformly spaced relation so asto receive in a coplanar orthogonal arrangement, a plurality of interengageable base plates each having the shape of a standardized right-angled parallelepiped and is adapted to receive on the front face which forms a unitary mounting surface at least one standardized pneumatic component of the system. and on the rear face thereof at least one series of connectors which communicate respectively with the openings of the corresponding component, each base plate having a rear face provided on each of two opposite edges, in symmetrical relation to the axis located at right angles to the mounting surface at the point of intersection of its diagonal lines, with at least two members for simultaneous bearing on one of the rods of the support panel and with a member for attachment on the rod, with all of said members being spaced along the edge face in order that thebearing members of two juxtaposed base plates can be similarly-mounted astride the same rod.

8 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures I 1 MODULAR SYSTEM ron PNEUMATIC conrnor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I at least one series of connectors which communicate shape of a standardized right-angled parallelepiped and respectively with the openings of the corresponding I component and thirdly anentire range of pneumatic components for providing a logical solution to industrial problems of automation.

PRIOR TECHNIQUES In known systems of this kind, the supportpanel can be constituted either by a frame covered by a standardized perforated plate-or by an angle-iron frame v within which are. f xed T-shaped sectional members disposed in parallel relation. The first solution offers the advantage of economy but has the disadvantageof increasing the overall space which is necessary by reason of the fact that the base plates cannot be juxtaposed. The second solution which offers the advantage of minimumspace requirements is attended by a disadvantage in that it requires accurate drilling of all the sectional members which support the-base plates. Furthermore, inboth solutions, the base plates are secured by means of screwsor bolts andare consequently difficult to assemble since it is necessary to have access to both faces of the support panel at the same time.

A, further drawback of known systems liesin the design concept of the different components. In fact, while these latter have a common mounting surface which is usually provided with three openings, the use of each opening in one direction and in predetermined sequence can depend on the function for which the component has been designed. It is therefore not possible to indicate in any way the respective assignment-of the connectors which are located on the rear face of the base plates and this not only gives rise to difficulties in the cabling operation but often results in errors of connection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION frame fitted with a series of transverse cylindrical rods in uniformly spaced relationso as to receive in a coplanar orthogonal arrangement a plurality "of in} terengageable base plates, each base plate having the adapted to receive on the front face thereof, which fonns a unitary mounting surface at least one standardized pneumatic component of the system and on the rear face thereof at least one series of connectors which communicate respectively with the openingsof the corresponding pneumatic component, is characterized in that the rear face of each base plate is provided on each of two opposite edges in symmetrical relation to the axis located at rightangles to the mounting surface at the point of intersection of its diagonal lines with at least two members for simultaneous bearing on one of the rods of the support panel and with a member for attaching the base plate on the rod, with all of said members being spaced along the edge so that the bearing members of two juxtaposed base plates can be similarly mounted astride the samerod.

The particular features and characteristics of the novel modular system are brought out in the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the arrangement I FIGS. 2-and 3 are-perspective views which bring out the details of the front face and rear face respectively of a base plate;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the quick-action connector with which each opening of the base plate is fitted FIGS. 5 and 6 are views respectively in section and in plan showing a sliding unit mounted on the standardized sectional member which'constitutes the frame of the support panel being taken along line V-V of FIG. 6, the view looking in the direction of the arrows FIGS. 7 to 11 are diagrammatic sectional views of the main components employed in the system and FIG. 12 is a plan view of the storage component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the embodiment which is illustrated, a metallic sectional member 1 (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) in accordance with the standard DIN 46 277 permits'of rapid andeconomical construction of the frame with the desired dimensions. Blocks 2 of molded plastic material are inserted in said frame on two opposite sides, with each block being fitted with a metallic strengthening plate 3.,A shoe 4 is mounted on each block and provided with a T-shaped groove 4a in which is engaged a clip 5. The complete assembly forms a sliding unit which is capable of retaining a cylindrical rod 6 and of being locked at any point off the sectional member 1 by tightening of a screw 7. The shoe'4 rests partly on the top flange of the sectional member 1 and engages between the flanges of the latter by means of a heel 4b.

Asthus constituted, the support panel is made up of a series of cylindrical rods 6 which are disposed in parallel relation, with said rods being systematically and uniformly spaced as 'aresult of the assembly of base plates 8 (as shown in FIG. 1).

The-base plates 8 are all identical and each plate is usually adapted to receiveany two pneumatic components of the system. Each base plate 8 if formed of molded plastic material and, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, comprises:

a parallelepipedal body 81 has front and rear faces 82 and 82a and is provided on the front face 82 with a mounting surface for one or two components;

on each short side of the body 81 and disposed in reverse three aligned arches 83-84-85 which are intended to bear on the cylindrical rods 6 of the panel. The arches 83 nd 84 which are connected together by a web defining an extension of the front face 82 have a greater thickness than the arch 85 and are both provided with a top groove for accommodating a clip a and'this latter clip is identical with the clip 5 which is mounted in the shoe 4. The arches 84 and 85 are joined together by a lateral web and a web which forms an extension of the front face 82, with said webs havinga small thickness and a point of incipient rupture 86 around their periphery in order to constitute a zone of lower strength which can be readily be eliminated at the moment of assembly in order to permit interengagement of adjacent plates. Such lower-strength zones are not detached for reasons of attractive appearance on that side of the plates which is fixed on the end cylindrical rods 6 of the panel (as shown in FIG. 1) such zones are shown as removed in FIG. 2 and retained in FIG. 3

two rows of three openings 87 formed in the thickness of the body 81 and parallel to the short sides, each opening being provided with four coaxial stepped bores for receiving a quick-action connector 9 as shown in FIG. 4 and as described in French patent Application No. 69, 17, 467

in the front face 82 of .the base 81 a blind-end bore 88 which is located in the line of extension of each row of openings 87 in order to position the component unilaterally on its mounting surface by means of a lug p which is formed on the component (as shown in FIGS. 7 to 12) and, in the case of each row of openings, two blind-end bores 89 located along a diagonal line in order to accommodate internally-threaded inserts which are intended to permit attachment of the components. The lug p serves to position the component and the component is secured to the base by two screws threaded into the blind end bores 89.

In order to ensure perfect interengagement of the base plates 8, the arch 83 is displaced laterally with respect to the base 81 over a distance which is equal to the widthof the arch 85.

In order to indicate conventionally the assignment of each'connector 9 which is located in the same row, bearing rings 9a which are respectively inset in the larger bore of the openings 87 have different colors. This feature which facilitates cabling to a large extent is evidently related to the fact that all the components of the system have been designed so that their input E should be located at the center, their output 8 on the left, their control C on the right, while the positioning lug p of the component (shown in FIGS. 7 to 12) is located to the left of the axis. For example, a white ring 90 will'correspond to the input E,'a green ring 9a will correspond to the output S, and a red ring 9a will correspond to the control C.

Among the main components which are intended to be adapted to the system, there is shown diagrammatically the internal structure of a YES-gate in FIG. 7, of a NOT-gate in FIG. 8, of an OR-gate in FIG. 9 and finally of an AND-gate in FIG. 10 only the mounting surface of a storage cell requiring five. openings is shown in FIG. 12.

The YES and NOT gates of FIGS. 7 nd 8 have a common top mounting surface which is capable of receiving different heads or timing chambers in order to constitute other components such as in particular manostatic relay, amplifier relay, delaying device or pulse generator. FIG. 11 is an example of a NOT-gate above which is mounted an amplifying head.

The storage component of FIG. 12 alone calls for one base plate 8 while its lower mounting surface is provided in addition to the two positioning lugs p which a lugt which passes across the corresponding connector 9 in order to show the installer that it is out of service.

What I claim is: I

1. A novel modular system for pneumatic control of the type which is constituted by a support panel arranged in the form of a frame provided with a series of transverse cylindrical rods in uniformly spaced relation so as to receive in a coplanar orthogonal arrangement, a plurality of interengageable base plates, each base plate having the shape of a standardized rightangled parallelepiped, each base plate having front and rear surfaces and receives on the front face which forms a unitary mounting surface, at least one standardized pneumatic component of the system and on the rear face at least one series of connectors which communicate respectively with openings of the corresponding pneumatic component. the rear face being provided on each of two opposite edges, in symmetrical relation to the axis located at right angles to the mounting surface at the point of intersection of its diagonal lines, with at least two members for simultaneous bearing on one of the transverse rods and with an elastic member for attaching the base plate on the rod, said at least two members and elastic member being spaced alongthe edge face so that the bearing members of two juxtaposed base plates can be similarly mounted astride the same rod.

2. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein each bearing member is constituted by a parallelepipedal projection whose edge is remote from the rear face of the base plate and has the shape of a cylindrical arch toconform to the shape of the rod against which said member is applied.

3. The modular system according to claim 1 wherein the two contiguous bearing members both maintain the elastic member and are provided on that opposite face thereof which is located above the arch with a groove parallel to the mounting surface to permit introduction and retention of said elastic member by insertion therein. 4

4. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is an elastic clip. V

5. The modular system according to claim 4, wherein the elastic member is a metallic blade spring cut out and curved in the form of a clip, the two arms of said member gripping laterally the rod which is applied tained within grooves of the bearing members as a result of the insertion.

6. The modular system according to claim 5, wherein the projections which both maintain the elastic member are joined together in that portion which is located along the opposite grooves by means of a wall disposed in the line of extension of the front face of the base plate.

7. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the bearing members are three in number and those two contiguous bearing members which do not main- 

1. A novel modular system for pneumatic control of the type which is constituted by a support panel arranged in the form of a frame provided with a series of transverse cylindrical rods in uniformly spaced relation so as to receive in a coplanar orthogonal arrangement, a plurality of interengageable base plates, each base plate having the shape of a standardized rightangled parallelepiped, each base plate having front and rear surfaces and receives on the front face which forms a unitary mounting surface, at least one standardized pneumatic component of the system and on the rear face at least one series of connectors which communicate respectively with openings of the corresponding pneumatic component, the rear face being provided on each of two opposite edges, in symmetrical relation to the axis located at right angles to the mounting surface at the point of intersection of its diagonal lines, with at least two members for simultaneous bearing on one of the transverse rods and with an elastic member for attaching the base plate on the rod, said at least two members and elastic member being spaced along the edge face so that the bearing members of two juxtaposed base plates can be similarly mounted astride the same rod.
 2. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein each bearing member is constituted by a parallelepipedal projection whose edge is remote from the rear face of the base plate and has the shape of a cylindrical arch to conform to the shape of the rod against which said member is applied.
 3. The modular system according to claim 1 wherein the two contiguous bearing members both maintain the elastic member and are provided on that opposite face thereof which is located above the arch with a groove parallel to the mounting surface to permit introduction and retention of said elastic member by insertion therein.
 4. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is an elastic clip.
 5. The modular system according to claim 4, wherein the elastic member is a metallic blade spring cut out and curved in the form of a clip, the two arms of said member gripping laterally the rod which is applied against the arches and the central portion of said member being provided with lateral projections maintained within grooves of the bearing members as a result of the insertion.
 6. The modular system according to claim 5, wherein the projections which both maintain the elastic member are joined together in that portion which is located along the opposite grooves by means of a wall disposed in the line of extension of the front face of the base plate.
 7. The modular system according to claim 1, wherein the bearing members are three in number and those two contiguous bearing members which do not maintain the elastic member delimit a free parallelepipedal space sufficient to contain exactly the two contiguous bearing members which maintain the elastic member of another base plate.
 8. The modular system according to claim 7, wherein the two contiguous bearing members which do not maintain the elastic member are partially joined by a thin wall readily removable if necessary by means of lines of fracture. 